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Palgrave Macmillan

Apocalyptic California

Gender in Climate Fiction

  • Book
  • © 2023

Overview

Authors:
  1. MaryKate Messimer

    1. San Antonio, USA

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  • Points to a way of reducing environmental harm in an era of climate change
  • Explores the connections between science fiction, climate change, and California
  • Studies ecofeminist environmental thought and queer ecologies

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Table of contents (5 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-v
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  2. Introduction

    • MaryKate Messimer
    Pages 1-19

  3. Indigenous Influences on Early Ecofeminist Utopias

    • MaryKate Messimer
    Pages 21-42

  4. Cruel Optimism in the Slow Violence of Apocalypse

    • MaryKate Messimer
    Pages 43-64

  5. Hyperobjects and Hyperempathy in Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower

    • MaryKate Messimer
    Pages 65-89

  6. Embodying the Land in N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season

    • MaryKate Messimer
    Pages 91-115

  7. Back Matter

    Pages 117-118
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Keywords

About this book

This book explores concepts of environmentalism and feminism in science fiction novels written by women. By extrapolating the future of climate change, the authors of these texts model how readers can apply utopian feminist and environmental theories in their own lives. Chapter One establishes an understanding of ecofeminist environmental thinking through original research conducted at the Ursula K. Le Guin archive at the University of Oregon. Chapter Two shows an example of climate change dystopia set in California in Claire Vaye Watkins’ novel Gold Fame Citrus. The final chapters explore utopian visions of queer ecologies in books by Octavia Butler and N.K. Jemisin. Because climate change is so difficult for individuals to grapple with, a new perspective is needed to survive it. The queer ecological philosophy in these novels points to a way of life that can reduce environmental harm in an era of climate change. 

Authors and Affiliations

  • San Antonio, USA

    MaryKate Messimer

About the author

MaryKate Messimer holds a PhD in English from the University of Arkansas and maintains an academic interest in environmentalism and queer theory. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, and promotes community engagement and empathy in her students and in her personal life. 

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